AFL Player 13: Nik Cox - cleared to return! - 11/11

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2026
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 6, Rick Ross

 

[Old Campaigner]

From my point of view I have absolutely 0 doubt that the panel has made the appropriate decision based on their parameters and the evidence provided.

But anecdotally how many athletes have made it back when its got to the point it has with Nik? Any?

Every case is different, I get it, but when someone starts showing symptoms of concussion without any obvious sign of impact or gets multiple (repeat) concussions in a 10 month period, I think its not outrageous to say "sorry you're done."

Brayshaw would've been close to the same point and had a good couple of years before Maynard KO'd him.

But it does seem like a slippery slope; get a couple of concussions, then the next ones come easier because you're more sensitive to head knocks, and suddenly something minor like a jarring landing sets you off.

 

[crackers65]

What happens if he starts pre season and comes up with concussion symptoms again. Do we have to wait for the AFL to make a decision again? That will be another year gone and another player less.

 

[King Patty]

What happens if he starts pre season and comes up with concussion symptoms again. Do we have to wait for the AFL to make a decision again? That will be another year gone and another player less.

probably, likely would open up a SSP spot if he was ruled out early in preseason (like Jagga Smith) or a mid season draft spot.

 

[Lore]

I guess clubs hands are tied. AFLPA won’t let us delist him anyway

You can delist them, and once delisted the delisting itself becomes cause to break the contract of employment, at which point you just gotta pay them out.

A medical retirement would also get medical insurance and retirement pension scheme thing I think, but classifying as a medical retirement would depend on whether the independent panel/doctors make that option available to him?

 

[Zach Package]

Brayshaw would've been close to the same point and had a good couple of years before Maynard KO'd him.

But it does seem like a slippery slope; get a couple of concussions, then the next ones come easier because you're more sensitive to head knocks, and suddenly something minor like a jarring landing sets you off.

I wonder whether he may adopt a lid like Brayshaw did at a similar stage

 

[fl4gd0n5]

Pre-season: Nik Cox update

Utility resumes full training as pre-season commences.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Good to see that he can resume full training. I may be in the minority, but I still think there's a player in there. I'd love to see him play a full season, even if it's in the VFL. It feels like he finds himself in the AFL team to start the season, then gets injured (apart from 2023), so even if his form isn't up to AFL level at different stages some time in the VFL would be good.

All being well, Duursma and Fiorini will be the starting wingers, I'd expect to see Clarke spend time there too. But Cox is better than Jones, so if he plays wing in the VFL he can provide depth. It'll be interesting to see what the new ruck rules do for stoppages around the ground, it may be valuable to have tall players who can cover the ground like Cox to make sure the team has representation at all stoppages.

There is a bit of a dearth of key defenders on the list. When he's played there, I think Cox has done some decent stuff, mixed in with some average stuff. Assuming Hayes isn't ready for the start of the season, It'd be good to have some decent cover in that position, especially because I'd classify Hayes as pretty similar to McKay in that they aren't very flexible for matchups. Cox is more suited to playing as a second/third tall or on medium sized forwards, and can play if (when) Ridley/Reid are injured. They could also play him as a forward, but I see that as unlikely unless they turn probably two of May, Gerreyn, McMahon and Edwards into defenders.

 

[Keystone agony]

Pre-season: Nik Cox update

Utility resumes full training as pre-season commences.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Good to see that he can resume full training. I may be in the minority, but I still think there's a player in there. I'd love to see him play a full season, even if it's in the VFL. It feels like he finds himself in the AFL team to start the season, then gets injured (apart from 2023), so even if his form isn't up to AFL level at different stages some time in the VFL would be good.

All being well, Duursma and Fiorini will be the starting wingers, I'd expect to see Clarke spend time there too. But Cox is better than Jones, so if he plays wing in the VFL he can provide depth. It'll be interesting to see what the new ruck rules do for stoppages around the ground, it may be valuable to have tall players who can cover the ground like Cox to make sure the team has representation at all stoppages.

There is a bit of a dearth of key defenders on the list. When he's played there, I think Cox has done some decent stuff, mixed in with some average stuff. Assuming Hayes isn't ready for the start of the season, It'd be good to have some decent cover in that position, especially because I'd classify Hayes as pretty similar to McKay in that they aren't very flexible for matchups. Cox is more suited to playing as a second/third tall or on medium sized forwards, and can play if (when) Ridley/Reid are injured. They could also play him as a forward, but I see that as unlikely unless they turn probably two of May, Gerreyn, McMahon and Edwards into defenders.

I still see a player

Still has kicking, athleticism, height, mobility and overhead marking

Just as most have said he is probably one knock away, and even didnt have any knocks to the head and they seemed to cause some sort of concussion

Interesting where they train him. Id hope a mix between 3rd tall defender and wing. Majority 3rd tall as hes probably next in line behind a Ridley injury

 

[faible]

Pre-season: Nik Cox update

Utility resumes full training as pre-season commences.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Good to see that he can resume full training. I may be in the minority, but I still think there's a player in there. I'd love to see him play a full season, even if it's in the VFL. It feels like he finds himself in the AFL team to start the season, then gets injured (apart from 2023), so even if his form isn't up to AFL level at different stages some time in the VFL would be good.

All being well, Duursma and Fiorini will be the starting wingers, I'd expect to see Clarke spend time there too. But Cox is better than Jones, so if he plays wing in the VFL he can provide depth. It'll be interesting to see what the new ruck rules do for stoppages around the ground, it may be valuable to have tall players who can cover the ground like Cox to make sure the team has representation at all stoppages.

There is a bit of a dearth of key defenders on the list. When he's played there, I think Cox has done some decent stuff, mixed in with some average stuff. Assuming Hayes isn't ready for the start of the season, It'd be good to have some decent cover in that position, especially because I'd classify Hayes as pretty similar to McKay in that they aren't very flexible for matchups. Cox is more suited to playing as a second/third tall or on medium sized forwards, and can play if (when) Ridley/Reid are injured. They could also play him as a forward, but I see that as unlikely unless they turn probably two of May, Gerreyn, McMahon and Edwards into defenders.

I'd like to see him played as that third tall defender at VFL level for a while; Ridley and Reid have worrying injury histories so there's a clear need for depth there (especially with Laverde gone) and AFAIK that was where his best form was as a junior.

None of this shoehorning him in on a wing stuff anymore

 

[ant555]

I'd like to see him played as that third tall defender at VFL level for a while; Ridley and Reid have worrying injury histories so there's a clear need for depth there (especially with Laverde gone) and AFAIK that was where his best form was as a junior.

None of this shoehorning him in on a wing stuff anymore

 

[fl4gd0n5]

Just as most have said he is probably one knock away, and even didnt have any knocks to the head and they seemed to cause some sort of concussion

The article mentions "a conservative approach with the sixth-year utility throughout the pre-season, aiming to give him the best chance to return to football at the highest level". He's still young enough to be a 10 year mainstay in the team, so I think even if he plays majority VFL in 2026 it isn't too bad as long as they see development in whatever areas they want him to improve on.

In fact, right now I'd take 23 VFL games and no senior games if it is better in the long term and he doesn't have any concussion symptoms. Even if that does happen, I think they'll give him a one-year deal for 2027.

Some players will have long careers and never get concussed, so hopefully Nik has some luck and doesn't get any more knocks.

 

[Runk]

I just love the fact he can get out there. Wishing him all the best.

 

[ghostdog]

The article mentions "a conservative approach with the sixth-year utility throughout the pre-season, aiming to give him the best chance to return to football at the highest level". He's still young enough to be a 10 year mainstay in the team, so I think even if he plays majority VFL in 2026 it isn't too bad as long as they see development in whatever areas they want him to improve on.

In fact, right now I'd take 23 VFL games and no senior games if it is better in the long term and he doesn't have any concussion symptoms. Even if that does happen, I think they'll give him a one-year deal for 2027.

Some players will have long careers and never get concussed, so hopefully Nik has some luck and doesn't get any more knocks.

Agree with this. I don't care if he plays VFL all season. If that's what he needs to regain his confidence and capacity, that's fine.
I'd have preferred we let him go, but it is what it is.

If we draft XTaylor he might be in trouble.

 

[MiguelM]

IDK, kicked 3 goals out of the goalsquare against Gold Coast and looked dangerous but never stepped foot in there again.

Worth a try IMO.

 

[FootyGuru]

I'd like to see him played as that third tall defender at VFL level for a while; Ridley and Reid have worrying injury histories so there's a clear need for depth there (especially with Laverde gone) and AFAIK that was where his best form was as a junior.

None of this shoehorning him in on a wing stuff anymore

That third defender does need to sit under packs and come across them as a third defender though. Similarly on the wing also. Not sure how the concussion problems will hold up in those positions, even though third defender does suit his capabilities.

Personally I’d like him to be primarily trained as a forward. Might cop some hits from behind but his athleticism, fitness and long kicking would be suited to a lead up high half forward. Compete with Harry jones and Peter wright for that position.

With 5 on the bench a player with this much versatility allows for flexibility throughout the side.

 

[fishardansin]

I'd like to see him given time to develop two roles. One as a hard running intercept player, the other as a hard running half forward. Having a 200cm bloke starting forward of the ball but running like a third wingman provides more options to get the ball out of the back half. He didn't quite make it as a wingman, so let him thicken up a little bit and take some of the lessons he got from learning the wing roll to half forward and/or half back. I don't mind a forward line of Caddy, Langford and Cox spreading the defence and Wright/resting ruck plus two very dangerous smalls using the space provided.

 

[faible]

That third defender does need to sit under packs and come across them as a third defender though. Similarly on the wing also. Not sure how the concussion problems will hold up in those positions, even though third defender does suit his capabilities.

Personally I’d like him to be primarily trained as a forward. Might cop some hits from behind but his athleticism, fitness and long kicking would be suited to a lead up high half forward. Compete with Harry jones and Peter wright for that position.

With 5 on the bench a player with this much versatility allows for flexibility throughout the side.

I think long-term he has the tools to be versatile, but as a guy who's never really been bedded down consistently in a position that he's good at, I'd like to see him just get a run of games at VFL level as that mobile tall defender to build some confidence and continuity. It's also the position we lack the most depth in right now so probably his shorter path to AFL level.

In the long run, if he can steer clear of concussion issues there's no doubt a guy who's 200cm with an elite tank can fill a number of different positions, but I think trying to play him as a 'plays everywhere utility' from an early stage before he actually settled in at AFL level was a part of his drop-off before the concussion problems.

 

[ydc55]

I hope his health remains.
That is the most important thing.
As far as his football. I don’t see a viable AFL player.
He lacks competitiveness and a true AFL position.
I see him as ruck depth only.

 

[ant555]

I hope his health remains.
That is the most important thing.
As far as his football. I don’t see a viable AFL player.
He lacks competitiveness and a true AFL position.
I see him as ruck depth only.

I still think he can play flanker. Forward or back. He has shown he can do it in patches. And his under 18 practice match stuff was okay at half back.
The competitive issues and not a great body for AFL football are the issues for me.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I hope his health remains.
That is the most important thing.
As far as his football. I don’t see a viable AFL player.
He lacks competitiveness and a true AFL position.
I see him as ruck depth only.

Agree.

Most important thing for me is he looked (pre concussions) to have absolutely zero footy iq. When you watched him he just kinda jogged around with seemingly little idea what to do or where the ball was going to go.

I’m sure he looked good underage because of his size and is a good athlete, but if he has no footy instincts and isn’t a competitor then that’s not going to parlay into senior football.

 

[ant555]

Agree.

Most important thing for me is he looked (pre concussions) to have absolutely zero footy iq. When you watched him he just kinda jogged around with seemingly little idea what to do or where the ball was going to go.

I’m sure he looked good underage because of his size and is a good athlete, but if he has no footy instincts and isn’t a competitor then that’s not going to parlay into senior football.

The lack of footy instinct is primarily because he had been played on a wing and wing is not a great learn on the job spot.
Secondly when his confidence was shot he was not always putting himself on a spot to be involved and it was deliberate.
Would also add our lack of forward pressure did not help as he was often caught in two minds as far as pushing up to try and effect the play or to hold back.
His early AFL form showed he had ability.
Problem was when sides started to put some physical pressure on him he fell apart.
His issues are totally competitive related in my view.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

The lack of footy instinct is primarily because he had been played on a wing and wing is not a great learn on the job spot.
Secondly when his confidence was shot he was not always putting himself on a spot to be involved and it was deliberate.
Would also add our lack of forward pressure did not help as he was often caught in two minds as far as pushing up to try and effect the play or to hold back.
His early AFL form showed he had ability.
Problem was when sides started to put some physical pressure on him he fell apart.
His issues are totally competitive related in my view.

I would argue his early AFL form showed he had both ability and competitiveness. That first season he had a notable aggression to my mind

 

[Maxabillions]

I would argue his early AFL form showed he had both ability and competitiveness. That first season he had a notable aggression to my mind

Remember that tackle on Nic Nat? Cox was skinnier than a rake but took him down

 

[fl4gd0n5]

Secondly when his confidence was shot he was not always putting himself on a spot to be involved and it was deliberate.

I vividly remember games where it was so evident there was soreness or a niggle heading into the game and then just wouldn't want to go near anyone else on the field. Looked slow and timid.

 

[Gabe251]

If he got back to playing regular footy it’d be pretty amazing

 

[katana]

same body type as marco jansen